Christopher noticed her then.
His expression did not show guilt or embarrassment; instead he walked past her with the calm indifference someone might display toward a delivery person.
He placed a light hand on Eleanor’s shoulder before speaking.
“Mom, this is Melanie. She’s the woman I’m planning to build my future with.”
The room grew quiet in a way that made Lydia suddenly aware of how loudly her own heartbeat echoed inside her chest.
No one had prepared her for this conversation.
No one had suggested that her marriage was ending.
Christopher spoke again a few minutes later when they stepped outside to the backyard patio, where the familiar grill stood beside the wooden table where they had once hosted summer gatherings with friends.
His voice sounded almost casual.
He explained that their marriage had reached its natural conclusion, that he wanted a divorce, and that the house legally belonged to him because it had been purchased before the wedding.
